Navigating the PhD journey: The hidden advantages of sharing your research with people outside your supervisory team

Higher education space

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Postdoctoral research skills

Doctoral research skills

In the pursuit of a doctoral degree, the journey from a research idea to its fruition is both exhilarating and challenging. While the guidance of a dedicated supervisory team is indispensable, the importance of seeking feedback from people outside this immediate circle cannot be underestimated. Doctoral candidates often find themselves immersed in the intricacies of their research, but the wisdom of sharing research ideas with people and experts outside of one’s supervisory team is a proactive and strategic approach for doctoral candidates. It involves reaching out to individuals including other doctoral students, professors, and non-academics with specialized or even lay knowledge in their research field who are not directly involved in their dissertation supervision. This process allows candidates to present their research concepts, methodologies, and findings to individuals who can offer a fresh and unbiased perspective. There are several benefits in sharing your research ideas with people outside your supervisory team if you are a PhD candidate.

First, by explaining their research to someone outside their field, candidates must clarify complex concepts and their relationships, which can improve candidate’s ability to communicate their work effectively to a broader audience when there is the need to do so. Additionally, non-specialists can provide a fresh, uninhibited viewpoint, offering insights that may challenge assumptions or uncover novel connections that specialists might overlook. This process can help candidates refine their research questions and make their work more accessible and relevant to a wider audience and enhance the potential for interdisciplinary collaboration and broader societal impact.

Second, exposing research ideas to an audience beyond one’s supervisory team can be a secret weapon in preparation for the rigorous processes of peer review and publication. Peer review can be rigorous and unforgiving and by exposing your research to individuals outside of your supervisory team, you are essentially stress-testing your ideas because non-specialists can challenge your research aims, objectives, questions, hypotheses, methodologies, and conclusions, and help you refine them to ensure they can withstand the scrutiny of peer reviewers. Moreover, when you engage with people outside your field, doctoral candidate may be compelled to convey your research ideas in a way that is clear, concise, and comprehensible to those without specialised knowledge. This exercise in communication is invaluable when drafting research papers or presenting research outputs to a diverse audience during peer review. Peer reviewers may not be experts in your field, so the ability to make your research accessible is key to a successful publication journey. Additionally, non-specialists can provide a fresh and unbiased perspective by asking questions or pointing out assumptions you have taken for granted. This critical feedback compels you to revisit and refine your research, making it more robust and well-grounded. In the peer review process, reviewers are tasked with scrutinizing your work for any weaknesses or gaps, and the practice of addressing these concerns begins when you share your ideas outside your supervisory team. Further, constructive criticism from individuals outside your supervisory team can be a precursor to the feedback you’ll receive during the peer review process that leads to research publications. It can help you develop resilience and a growth mind-set, essential qualities for navigating the daunting world of academic publishing.

Third, sharing your research ideas with individuals outside your supervisory team offers a unique opportunity for unbiased feedback and validation. While your supervisors undoubtedly provide invaluable guidance, their vested interest in your success can sometimes cloud their objectivity. In contrast, seeking input from those with fresh perspectives and no direct stake in your research can yield candid and impartial feedback. These external voices can serve as a litmus test for the rigour and relevance of your work, helping you identify strengths to build upon and weaknesses to address. Their unbiased validation can be a powerful affirmation of the quality and significance of your research, bolstering your confidence and setting you on a more assured path toward your academic goals. Additionally, your supervisory team, though undoubtedly knowledgeable, often operates within a specific academic framework shaped by their experiences and expertise. Engaging with external individuals, especially those from different disciplines or industries, introduces fresh viewpoints that can challenge your preconceptions, stimulate innovative thinking, and uncover novel dimensions of your research. These unique perspectives not only enrich your work but also have the potential to spark entirely new research directions. By embracing this diversity of thought, you expand the horizons of your research, resulting in a more comprehensive and impactful study that stands out in the academic landscape.

Finally, sharing your research ideas with individuals beyond your supervisory team is not just about academic enrichment, it is a strategic move that can pave the way for valuable networking and collaboration opportunities. Engaging with external experts and professionals from diverse fields can expand your professional network in unexpected ways. These connections can lead to collaborative research projects, invitations to conferences or workshops, and introductions to potential mentors or collaborators. The world of academia thrives on collaboration and interdisciplinary approaches, and by actively seeking feedback and insights from a wider audience, you position yourself to seize opportunities for collaborative endeavours that can enhance the impact and reach of your research. In essence, sharing your research ideas beyond your immediate circle is a proactive step toward building a robust and influential academic network that can be instrumental in shaping your future research career.

Notwithstanding the numerous advantages inherent in sharing your research ideas with individuals outside your supervisory team, these advantages should not be misconstrued as substitutes for your supervisors’ feedback or guidance. On the contrary, your supervisory team plays a pivotal role in your academic journey and remains an invaluable source of mentorship and support. What is advocated this article is a complementary approach—an expansion of your feedback network to include external perspectives. This approach seeks to enrich your research, improve your communication skills, and widen your academic network. It’s about augmenting the resources available to you, not replacing them. By integrating the feedback and insights from both your supervisors and people outside your supervisory team, you can harness the full spectrum of guidance and expertise at your disposal, ultimately enhancing the quality and impact of your doctoral research. Remember, the pursuit of knowledge is a collaborative endeavour, and by embracing diverse feedback, you are taking a significant step towards becoming a well-rounded and accomplished researcher.